Column: Not all cyclists are in favor of stop-as-yield law

Sep. 8, 2013

Bevin Barber-Campbell

One might assume that every cyclist in Fort Collins is in favor of the passage of an Idaho Stop law, or a “stop as yield” ordinance, a law change that would allow cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs.

While advocates for the Idaho Stop law present a compelling argument, many cyclists are opposed to it.

As a bike commuter, I used to be afraid of being hit by a car. Lately, I worry more about being hit by another cyclist! I fear head-on collisions, cyclists running red lights, and because I stop at stop signs, being rear-ended at intersections.

The constant vigilance can be exasperating and has, more than once, made me want to quit using a bicycle for transportation.

These scary bicyclists are either unaware of the traffic laws for bicycles or are simply disregarding them. Cars, in comparison, are at least more predictable.

After I learned about vehicular cycling — the idea that cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles — I became habituated to stopping at every stop sign. I am one of those oddball cyclists that actually likes stopping at stop signs. It feels courteous, cooperative and respectful of the people I am sharing the road with. It is good diplomacy.

Currently, under the law, a bicycle is a vehicle and a cyclist is the driver of a vehicle, subject to the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles. Bicycle advocates have justified the right to sharing the road with cars by sharing the same responsibilities (e.g., following the same rules).

The Idaho Stop law, as an exception, breaks down the integrity of this justification. It introduces more complexity and confusion, when what we really need is more education about current traffic laws for bicyclists.

As an instructor for Safe Routes to School, I spend a lot of time trying to convince children to stop at every stop sign. It would be too confusing to tell them that they must stop, but their parents don’t need to. Modeling is everything with kids; they will do what they see their parents doing.

Every fall, we have an influx of CSU students, many of whom already don’t stop at stop signs and might misinterpret the ordinance as also giving them the right-of-way at intersections. This could be lethal.

For young adults, children and pedestrians, the Idaho Stop law could be dangerous. It is likely that it will decrease the safety of children and pedestrians, and possibly make bicycling even more intimidating to populations that are already hesitant, such as women and children.

As a bike advocate, when I consider our greatest priorities, it is difficult for me to stand behind something that is mostly about personal convenience. And I worry that such an ordinance will only increase the confusion, fear and animosity felt by motorists toward bicyclists.

Bevin Barber-Campbell is a League-Certified instructor, bicycle ambassador and member of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Education Coalition (bpeclarimer.org).